Saturday, November 29, 2008

Odds and Ends

Here is Through the Bridge, using a photo Jerry took in Brown County, OH of a covered bridge, for reference. Not great - but done. And I can use it for the Skies project at WatercolorWorkshop.

And I need to finish up the peppers painting I started - from a photo I took at the Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market. Still need to remove the misket and finish it today.

I haven't worked on Downward Glance yet today and might not - but I did get a crisper/sharper photo of the stage it's in right now.

And there's the painting of the Australian Gum Nuts/Tree that isn't finished in watercolor, too.

I hate it when I have 2-3 paintings lying around unfinished. I can't just toss them in the bin - seems like I need to finish them even if it's a half-hearted attempt at times.

Do you have paintings lying around, unfinished? Do you feel like you have to finish them - or do you just lose your enthusiasm for them and let them go by the wayside? How many do you have waiting for you?

9 comments:

Well, duh, of course I have some laying around! In particular a large one of - who would guess - 4 peonies! - started a while back. Each one looks like somebody else painted it; by the time I got to flower 3 I was getting in the groove, and I really like #4. I fluctuate between thinking I'll gesso it and start again, then thinking I can save it so, of course, I do nothing! Not to mention that I have a bin full of stuff not good enough to frame, but not bad enough to toss!! (And by the way - dog hair accumulates nicely, too! I actually cleaned today, but plead the fifth about how many weeks it's been since any prior cleaning has taken place - or should I plead insanity??!)

I have four paintings waiting for me to decide what is needed for them, also! I think it is a matter of losing the original enthusiasm and inspiration so you put them aside to marinate for awhile. Sometimes you don't get back to them for quite awhile because a new project comes up and you get excited about doing the new one and just don't get back to the older unfinished ones, the spark is gone! I eventually feel sorry for these orphans (or at least guilty that they are taking up space in my studio) and finish them, but the original feeling of having to paint the subject just isn't there.

I'm glad to hear I am not the only one to do this. By the way, I don't think I had seen the peppers in the basket painting before and I will look forward to seeing that one finished. I do remember the covered bridge one and think you finished that one very well.

My unfinished pile was getting larger so I hid them under my mat cutting table so I would not have to see them. Not sure that solved anything but the studio looks nicer - lol. You did a great job on the covered bridge! Good finish.

Seems like creative people do have things lying around waiting - Vicki, I like your idea of just hiding them so they don't nag you! ha haThanks, Deb, Susan and Vicki, for your comments. I hope to paint more today - it's a terribly dreary, rainy day here so what else is there to do, right?

I like them all but especially like the baskets of peppers. Looking forward to seeing the finish on each of these. I don't have too many unfinished paintings just plenty of ones that need to go in the trash bin. I'm one of those that can't rest until the painting is done and only do one painting at a time. Wish it wasn't that way. :(

Hi Rhonda, that would be countless unfinished paintings. I was just thinking about that, this morning,funny you should post it. I seem to be quick to start and slow to finish. It must be a discipline issue,or maybe, all of the unfinished paintings are part of the learning curve. I am going to try to paint more this week I have been sidetracked by the holidays. I have a lot of little projects that need to be completed.

Thanks so much, Cathy, Ann and Sandy, for your comments on these. I wasn't trying to make you feel guilty about any paintings you have laying around waiting for you to return - it's not like a puppy or a baby - they'll wait until you get back to them! ha ha Wouldn't it be funny if your paintings were like puppies, whining and barking and making that puppy sound when you haven't finished them?! ha ha Sandy, I'm glad you like the bridge painting - it wasn't easy and I hope it looks as good in person when you see it :) Cathy, great minds think alike which is why we were both thinking about those unfinished paintings.

I began my journey with watercolor painting in April 2003, taking weekly lessons for six years before I realized I needed to move on to explore on my own.

I admire the work of so many artists; my sidebar is full of artists who inspire me every day. I also love the freedom of Shirley Trevena, the delicate touch of Ted Nuttall and Hazel Soan, and the power of Mary Whyte. I enjoy visiting art blogs, reading art magazines and watching art DVDs to further my art education and to simply enjoy the beauty that is being created around the world in watermedia these days.

"If you have a burning desire to create art, you will lean into the flame of that desire, rather than shy away from it. You may get burned, or you may enjoy the glowing warmth of success. Whatever the outcome, you will not be able to withstand the pull to create something meaningful, beautiful, and lasting."